Midrealm makes its stand, takes broken field

On the final fighting day of Pennsic XXXV, the Grand Armies of the Midrealm and East met for the final time in the broken field battle. According to the rules, this battle was designed to give the trailing army a chance for a last stand. With the Midrealm trailing, they took full advantage of the rules.

When the first cannon sounded, the Midrealm was given 30 minutes to construct what defenses they could by using hay bales. The Midrealm chose to build a redoubt on the extreme northwest corner of the field. This redoubt had only one entrance, two walls and several other obstacles, which made it nearly impregnable. The Midrealm needed only to hold out for 60 minutes to claim the final two heavy fighting War Points.

With the second cannon sounded, the Midrealm had its forces arrayed on the north side of the battlefield, while the East attacked from the south. Between the two forces was a “river” about 20 yards wide. East forces either had to ford the river on their knees (knights could cross standing as they were considered “on horseback”) or construct bridges from hay bales.

On the east side of the battlefield, forces from Atlantia attempted to ford or cross, but their efforts proved largely ineffective. Eastern forces to the center of the battlefield attempted to construct a bridge, but did so in the crosshairs of the bulk of the Midrealm ballista force. The bridge made it three-fourths of the way across the river before the forces were eliminated.

It was on the west side where the East’s attack made the most headway. Æthelmearc forces chose to ford the stream to protect the bridge being built from defenders from Calontir, Clovenshield and others. The strategy worked and the East established a bridgehead before a hold was called.

From that bridgehead, House Bloodguard spearheaded a push up the west flank of the battlefield that reached the redoubt. However, Bloodguard chose not to enter the redoubt and soon found themselves engage and destroyed by House Darkmoon and House Red Winged Lion. Meanwhile, the majority of the Midrealm forces rushed to contain the bridgehead, with hammer blows landed by the Oaken army, Midlands, and the Tuchux.

With the battle contained elsewhere, Ealdormere took the initiative. The White Wolf’s forces forded the river to the East’s side, overran the remaining Atlantians and then proceeded to roll down the length of the river, taking out Tyger reserves as they went.

The Tyger’s forces ended up being completely encircled on the west side. With victory in sight, forces from House Darkmoon and the Darkyard Legion were ordered to abandon the redoubt and help the final push. Before long, the cannon sounded as the Midrealm eliminated Black Talon and the final Eastern allies.

HRM Felix of the Midrealm, who had to sit out the fight, was all smiles as he addressed his troops after the battle.

“That was an impressive display of tactics and prowess,” HRM Felix said. “You have made us so very proud. You have taken the field. Be sure to greet those across the field with honor.”

Today’s big battle: The flight of dragons through the gate.

As always, VIVAT, HOOBAH, WASSAIL and HUZZAH until Pennsic XXXVI to all the warriors and warrior watchers of the Known World.